A short introduction to English grammar: with critical notes. A new edition, corrected

[Lowth, Robert]

Published by J. Dodsley in Pall Mall; and T. Cadell, Junior, and W. Davies, (Successor to Mr. Cadell) in The Strand, London, 1795

12mo, pp. xi, [2], 14-184; original full coarse canvas, an early use of cloth as a binding material, and often found on schoolbooks, as here; early pencil notes on front pastedown, rear free endpaper excised; very good and sound. With the ownership signature of A. K. Graham 1797, and Richard Graham, July 1804 on the front free endpaper; on the rear endpaper, that of J. A. Graham 1800. Lowth's grammar "has probably exerted more influence than any other treatise in forming the character of the numerous grammars that have since been used as school books, in Great Britain and the United States" -- Attributed to William H. Wells, and Published in Rollo La Verne Lyman's "English grammar in American schools before 1850." (Washington: GPO, 1922.) Appearing for the first time in 1762, the book was initially conceived as a grammar for Lowth's young son, Thomas Henry, and the children of a few of his patrons. However, when the first edition was actually published by Robert Dodsely in London, it was revised to meet the general needs of the scholars and the reading public. The edition was very small in number and seen as a pilot project. Lowth wrote that he hoped to receive "the judgement of the learned upon it," and aimed to publish a better edition in the future. In the midst of the burgeoning market for English grammars, Lowth's book was an immediate success. Dodsely, recognizing the enormous commercial potential of the new grammar, pressed Lowth to prepare this second edition as quickly as possible. As the publisher of Samuel Johnson's extremely popular Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Dodsely also saw an opportunity to make up for the shortcomings of the ill-considered and severely criticized grammar prefixed to the dictionary. Lowth (1710-1787) was primarily known in his day as the Bishop of London, and the Hebrew scholar who authored Praelectiones Academicae which put forth the idea that sacred poetry be read as poetry, and which should be examined by the ordinary standards of literary criticism. Lowth was also the biographer of William of Wykeham and an able translator. Today he is remembered chiefly for his Grammar, widely popular and still in use well into the 19th century. Alston I, 250. Seller Inventory # 66848

Bibliographic Details

Title: A short introduction to English grammar: ...
Publisher: J. Dodsley in Pall Mall; and T. Cadell, Junior, and W. Davies, (Successor to Mr. Cadell) in The Strand, London
Publication Date: 1795
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition